Automatic lathe



March 14, p LLOYD 2,343,914

AUTOMATIC LATHE Filed March 15, 1941 16 She'ets-Sheet 1 March 14, 1944. N. LLOYD 2,343,914

AUTOMATIC LATHE Filed March 15, 1941 16 Sheets-Sheet 2 March 14, 1944. R LLOYD 2,343,914

AUTOMATIC LATHE Filed March 15, 1941 16 Sheets-Sheet I:

March 14, 1944. R um 2,343,914

AUTOMATIC LATHE Filed March 15, 1941 16 Sheets-Sheet 4 March 14, 1944. L YD AUTOMATIC LATHE 16 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed March 15, 1941 March 14, 1944. N. P. LLOYD AUTOMATIC LATHE 1941 16 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed March 15 March 14, 1944. p LLOYD 2,343,914

AUTOMATIC LATHE Filed March 15, 1941 16 Sheets-Sheet '7 March 14, 1944.

N. P. LLOYD 2,343,914

AUTOMATIC LATHE Filed March 15, 1941 16 Sheets-Sheet s F7 5 Z4 6-! 2 J4 J I /g I. I I I /5 ll"'- l" Il I 55 25 I i 4 I f I r J2 4/ 6 0 Id (3 49 57 .59 56 46 6 9 4 l8 /4 /4'- 5 I .35 0'5 1' 46 l 55' 60 I I 42 Y i za- 55 i March 14, 1944. I p LLOYD 2,343,914

AUTOMATIC LATHE Filed March 15, 1941 1e Sheets-Sheet 10 March 14, 1944. N L YD 2,343,914

AUTOMATIC LATHE I Filed March 15, 1941 16 Sheets-Sheet 11 March 14, 1944. LLOYD 2,343,914

AUTOMATIC LATHE Fil ed March 15, 1941 16 Sheets-Sheet 12 March 14, 1944. YD 2,343,914

AUTOMAT I C LATHE Filed March 15, 1941 16 Shee'ts-She'et 13 March 14, 1944. I

N. P, LLOYD 2,343,914

I AUTOMATIC LATHE Filed March 15, 1941 16 Sheets-Sheet 14 num- N. P. LLOYD AUTOMATIC LATHE Filed March 15, 1941 16 Sheets-Sheet 15 March 14, 1944.

March 14, 1944. N R LLOYD 2,343,914

AUTOMATIC LATHE Filed March 15, 1941 16 Sheets-Sheet l6 H 40. mg. 59

Patented Mar. 14.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE AUTOMATIC LATHE Nicholas P. Lloyd, Wynnewood, Pa.

Application March 15,. 1941, Serial No. 383,634

' (c1. az-z) 13 Claims.

, This invention relates to improvements in automatic lathes, and the invention resides in certain details of mechanism, structure, and assembly, hereinafter described, which are productive of a machine tool having in marked degree the desirable characteristics of precision, flexibility,

facility of adjustment, safety, and capacity for Fig. 8 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a portion of the mechanism shown in Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary sectional perspective view of the portion of the tool carrier mechanism shown in Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary view in perspective illustrating details of the tool carrier;

Fig. 11 is a detached perspective view of one of the tool carrier elements;

Fig. 12 is a vertical sectional view of the tool carrier taken on the line 12-12, Fig. 6;

Fig. 13 is a detached sectional perspective view illustrating the details of the tool carrier-actuating mechanism;

Fi 14 is a section on the line l4-l4, Fig. 13;

Fig. 15 is a section on the line li-IS, Fig. 6;

Fig. 16 is a section on the line l6-I6, Fig. 6;

Fig. 17 is a section on the line 11-11, Fig. 6;

Fig. 18 is a sectional elevational view of the sliding work spindle;

Fig. 19 is a fragmentary sectional perspective view of an element of the sliding spindle mechanism;

Fig. 20 is a view in perspective of another element of the sliding spindle mechanism;

Fig. 200. is a sectional view illustrating a modi- Fig. 24 is a fragmentary sectional view on the line 24-24, Fig. 23; FiFig. 25 is a sectional'view on the line 25-25,

Fig. 26 is a sectional view on the line 26-26, Fig. 25;

Fig. 27 is a sectional view on the line 21-21, Fig. 25;

Fig. 28 is a detached view in perspective of one of the housing elements shown in Fig. 25;

Fig. 29 is a section on the line 29-29, Fig. 3;

Fig. 30 is a section on the line 30-30, Fig. 29;

Fig. 31 is a view in perspective illustrating details of the portion of the mechanism shown in Fig. 29; v

Fig. 32 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating a modification of an element of the mechanism shown in Fig. 29;

Fig. 33 is a section on the line 33-33, Fig. 32;

Fig. 34 is a detached view in perspective of an element of the mechanism shown in Fig. 33;

Fig. 35 is a side elevational view illustrating details of the stock stand;

Fig. 36 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating a detail of the stock stand mechanism;

Fig. 3'7 is a section on the line 31-31, Fig. 35;

Fig. 38 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating a detail of the stock control mechanism;

Fig. 39 is an end elevational and partial sectional view of the stock stand shown in Fig. 35;

Fig. 40 is a sectional view on the line 40-40, Fig. 35;

Fig. 41 is a detached view in perspective of one of the elements of the mechanism shown in Fig. 40;

Fig. 42 is a section on the line 42-42, Fig. 35, and

Fig. 43 is a section on the line 43-43, Fig. 42.

With reference to the drawings, the machine comprises a relatively fixed tool carrier I and a rotary work spindle 2 which is mounted in a slide 3 for reciprocation with respect to the carrier l. Bar stock designated by the reference numeral 4 is supported on a stand 5, see Fig. 35, rearwardly of the slide 3, and passes through the spindle 2 to the 'tool carrier. The feeding of the stock is effected by action of the sliding spindle 2, and the actuation of the spindle and of the slide 3, and also of the tools in the carrier I, is effected through the medium of a single actuating shaft 6, which; as best shown in Fig. 3 extends longitudinally of and at one side of the assembly.

Tool carrier The tool carrier comprises a frame I which is adjustably supported in' a dovetailed way 8 in the main frame 8 of the machine. Mounted in the frame 1 is a collet H, see Fig. 12, the function of which is to support the stock 4 immediately adjacent the cut. The colletis adjustable in well known manner to closely fit the stock, and the tapered body of the collet is detachably secured by a ring nut i2 in a correspondingl tapered seat l3 of a bushing III which is detaohably secured in the frame I.

The frame I comprises a front plate l4, see Fig. 10, which has on the forward face thereof aplurality of dovetailed'guides l5, l6 and I1, these guides converging in the direction of the collet' I I. Slidably supported in each .of these guides is a slide l8, see Fig. 11, said slide having a. dovetailed clamped solidly in the recess by means of set screws 48.

It will be apparent that the foregoing arrangement provides for adjustment of the point of the tool in directions both axially and tangentially of the stock supported in the collet The device has another important characteristic relating to the clamping action of the bolt 42. When this bolt is tightened, it has the eifect of compressing the threads of the tapped hole in element 38 into the tapered spaces between the threads of the screw 28, thereby eliminating any freedom between these parts required for adjustment and portion l9 at the back which fits the associated dovetailed guide, and at one end a pair of spaced bosses 2|, 2| having aligned openings, 22 and 23 respectively. At the opposite end, the slide is provided with a transverse flange 24 which overhangs the dovetailed portion 9. This flange forms a seat for the upper ends of coiled springs 25, 25

which are mounted in mating recesses 26, 26 and- 21, 21 in the inner opposed faces of .the slide l8 and its guide respectively and which exert pres sure to resiliently support the slide in an elevated position in the guide.

Mounted for rotation in the bosses 2| is an adjustlng screw 28. The screw hasa terminal unthreaded portion 29 which fits into the relatively large aperture 23 in one of the bosses 2|, and toward the other end an unthreaded portion 3| of smaller diameter which fits the relatively small aperture 22 of the other boss. Outwardly of the portion 3| is a threaded extension 32 of reduced diameter which receives a threaded collar 33, this collar being locked in place by a set screw 34. The threaded extension 32 terminates in a polygonal end 35 adapted for reception of a wrench whereby the screw may be turned in the supporting bosses. By reason of the shoulder 36 at one side of the journal portion 3|, which shoulder abuts one face of the supporting boss, and the collar 33 which abuts the opposite face of the boss, the screw 28 is held against axial movement in the bosses. Preferably the collar 33 is provided with a scale 31, see Fig. 16, which provides an index of the angular position of the screw 28 in the bosses.

screw passes through a correspondingly threaded aperture in a tool-supporting element 38, said element thereby being adjustable by rotation of the screw 28 transversely between the bosses 2|, 2| of the slide l8. The slide |8 has in its outer face and immediately above the bosses 2| a transverse dovetailed slot 39, and the associated element 38 has an opening 4| through which a bolt 42 extends into the said slot 39. A rectangular dovetailed nut 43 fitted to the recess 39 receives the inner end of the bolt 42 whereby when this bolt is tightened, the element 38 is clamped solidly to the slide l8 in adjusted position between the bosses 2 I, 2|.

Threaded through the element 38 from the outer face at av point near the upper end thereof is an adjusting screw 44, the inner end of this screw, see Fig. 15, hearing against a hardened steel button 45 set into the outer face of the slide l8. Through the medium of this screw 44, the angular position, of the element 38 with respect to the axis of the screw' 28 as a center may be adjusted. As shown in Figs. and 16, the element 38 has a longitudinal recess 46 for reception of the cutting tool 41, and the tool is maintaining the preliminary alignment of the tool with respect to the axial movement of the stock. Also, by reason of the pressure thus exerted upon the screw 28, the latter is clamped solidly in position'preventing any displacement of the tool-from vibrational or other causes.

The-upper end of the element 38 is provided with a cap plate 49 which forms a bearing for the free end of a lever 5|. This leveris supported on a pivot pin 52 carried by a bracket 53 secured to the rear of the frame 1, see Figs. 7, 12 and 13. The lever projects through an opening 54in the front plate l4, and carries at its forward end a micrometer adjusting screw designated generally by-the reference numeral 55,"the lower end 56 of thi' screw bearing upon the plate 49.

Pivotally supported in a boss 51 on the inner side of the bracket 53 is a lever 58 which is connected through the medium of a link 59 and a shackle 6| with the lever 5|. The shackle is adjustably supported in a slot 62 which extends longitudinally of the lever 5|, see Fig. '12, so that by adjustment of the shackle, the throw of the lever 5| corresponding to any given movement of the lever 58 may be varied.

Rigidly secured to the pintle 60 of the lever 58 is an arm 63 which is connected through a rod 64 with one end of a lever 65, this lever being mounted on a'shaft 66 supported in the frame 1. The other end of the lever 65 carries a cam follower 61 which is adjustably secured in the lever, as illustrated in Fig. 13, and which bears against a cam 68 on the shaft 6. It will be noted that the rod 64 is connected to the lever 63 through the medium of a bearing 69, see Fig. 14, which provides for slight angular movement of the rod 64 transversely of the plane of the lever 63; while still maintaining a close connection between these elements.

It will be apparent that with the arrangement described above, the cam 68 in rotating 'will cause the lever 5| to be drawn downwardly to thereby advance the tool 41 toward the work, this advance. movement of the tool being eifected by pressure exerted through the lever 5| upon the element 38, and through this element upon the slide l8. Retractive movements of the tool permitted by the cam 68 are effected through the medium of the springs 25 which tend to move the slides 18 upwardly in their guides as previously described, these springs also functionfor the three tools are identical. as described above, and the various elements of the mountings are, therefore, identified by the same reference numerals.

The tool-actuating mechanism described above is that which is immediately associated with the tool 41, shown at thelcenter in Fig. 6. Similar actuating mechanisms, differing from that described only in the shape of certain of the elements, are provided for actuating the tools 414 and 41!) from separate cams carried by the shaft 9. The actuating mechanism for the tool 41a is supported upon a bracket 530, at the back of the frame, corresponding to the bracket 53 previously described, and a. corresponding bracket 53b constitutes the immediate support for the actuating mechanism for the tool 41b. The connectlng rod 640, which constitutes an element of the actuating mechanism for the tool 41a and which corresponds to the connecting rod 64 of the actuating mechanism for the tool 41, i connected to a cam lever 65a carried by the shaft '66 in a position adjoining the cam lever 65, and this cam lever is operatively associated in the manner previously described with a cam 68a on the shaft 6. Similarly the connecting rod 64b forming an element of the actuating mechanism for the tool 411: is connected with a cam lever 65b which adjoins the cam lever 65 on the shaft 66, and the lever 65b is operatively associated, as previously described, with a cam 68b on the shaft 6, see Fig. 3. Theactuations of the tools 41, 41a and 41b are, therefore, entirely independent and under the control of the individual cams 68, 68a and 681), which cams, however, are all carried by the shaft 6, and, therefore, move in positive synchronization.

Referring further to Fig. 8, it will be noted that each of the cams 68, 68a and 68b has an immediately adjoining companion cam designated respectively 1|, Ho and 1Ib. These cams are so arranged with respect to their companion cams that when the follower 61, the extremity of which is offset, as best shown in Fig. 13, is turned through an angle of 180", the follower will then be in a position to engage the said companion cam. Thus by adjusting the follower 61 through an angle of 180?, the follower may be made to engage selectively either one of two cams, thereby addingfiexibility to the operation of the machine and avoiding the necessity for frequent changing of the cams on the carrier shaft 6.

Pivotally secured to the lower portion and at the front of the frame 1, by means of a taperedhead bolt 12; is a dovetailed transverse guide member 13, on opposite ends of which are supported sliding blocks, 14 and 15 respectively. The blocks 14 and 15 constitute sliding supports for cutting tools ,16 and 11 respectively. At the inner end and at the top of the block 14 are two spaced bosses 18 and 19 which form bearings for an adjusting screw 8| corresponding to the adjusting screws 28 of the slides I8 previously described. The adjusting screw 8I is secured in the bosses 18 and 19, in the same manner as the adjusting screws 28 in the bosses 2|, 2| of the carrier elements I8, andis provided with a polygonal end 82 for reception of a wrench, by

means of which the adjusting screw is turned.

Engaged with and supported by the screw 8| is a tool-supporting element 83 in which the cutting tool 16 is clamped by means-of set screws 84.

Rotation of the screw 8| has the effect of adjusting the element 83 and the tool 16 in the block 14 axially of the work stock supported in the collet II.

A similar support element 85 is mounted on an adjustingscrew 86 in the block 15, and in this element is clamped the tool 11, by means of set screws 81. The element 85 is provided at its outer end with an adjusting screw, the lower end of which bears against a hardened steel insert 89 in the block 15. By adjusting th screw 88, the element 85 and the tool 11 may be adjusted angularly about the axis of the screw 86 as a fulcrum in a plane normal to the longitudinal axis of the stock-supporting collet II. The element 85 also carries a bolt 9|, the lower end of which is engaged by a rectangular tapered nut v in adjusted position to the block 15. The element 83 is provided with an adjusting screw 94 corresponding to the adjusting screw 88 of the element 85, and is provided also with a clamping bolt 95 corresponding to the bolt 9|. It will be noted that th adjusting and clamping means is the same as that previously described in connection with the tools 41, 41a and 41b, and that the device is correspondingly effective to maintain the tools 16 and 11 solidly and immovably in adjusted position and in accurate alignment with respect to the axial movement of the stock.

In each end of the pivotally mounted guide bar 13 is a pair of recesses 96, 96, and in each of these recesses is mounted a coiled spring 91. Each of the blocks 14 and 15 is provided with an end plate, 98 and 99 respectively, which plates overlie the ends of the recesses- 96 and form a seat for the springs 91. By way of the end plates '98 and 99, the springs 91 exert resilient pressure tending to force the blocks 14 and 15 outwardly on the respective ends of the guide bars 13.

The guide bar 13 has an extension IOI, see Figs. 6 and 9, and this extension has. bosses I02, I03 within which is supported an adjustable stop I06, which by engagement with the end plate 99 limits the outward movement of the block 15 under the pressure of the springs 91. By means of the stop I04, the block 15 may be adjusted to bring the cutting edge of the tool 11 in desired propinquity to the stock-supporting collet II and to the work supported in this collet. A corresponding adjusting crew I05 is supported in lugs I06, I06 on the extension |0|, and the inner end of this screw bears against the end of a rod I01 which is slidably supported in a longitudinal bore I08 in the guide member 13. The opposite end of the rod I01 engages one end of a lever I09 which is pivotally supported on a bracket arm II| secured to the end of the guide bar 13, and the opposite end of th lever I09 bears against a button |I2 on the end plate 98 of 'the block 14. The adjusting screw I05 thereby constitutes a stop limiting the outward movement of the block 14 under pressure of the springs 91, and constitutes a means whereby the tool 16, which is sup-- ported on the block 14, may be adjusted relatively to the stock-supporting collet I I.

Secured to the guide bar 13 is a bracket II3 which carries on its projecting end a cam follower IM, and this follower engages one or both of a pair of cams I I5 and I I6 secured to the shaft 6, see Fig. 3. Thus the cams, either individually or jointly, may operate to rock the guide bar 13 on its pivot 12, thereby bringing one or other of the cutting tools 16, 11, depending on the direction in which the said bar is tilted, into cutting engagement with the work stock supported. as previously described, in'the collet II. The cam follower I I4 is forcibly resiliently retained in en-. gagement with'the cam or cams I I 5, I I6 by means of a spring .1 which is mounted in a telescopic link' 8, one end of which is pivotally supported .on a bracket II9, see Figs. 1 and 2, secured to the From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that the cutting tools, either singly or in various combinations, may be brought into cutting relation to the work stock supported in the collet II, the actuation of the cutting tools being controlled by a plurality 'of cams carried by the common shaft 6. It will be apparent also that provision is made for accurately adjusting the individual cutting tools axially of the stock and also in planes normal to the longitudinal axis of the stock The construction provides for elimination of all play between the cutting tools and the actuating cams, and maintenance of the tools in extremely accurate adjustment.

The work spindle As previously set forth, the rotary spindle 2 is mounted in a slide 3 for longitudinal reciprocation with respect to the tool carrier I. The slide 3 is in the form of a housing, the base member I26 of which is supported for sliding movement in a dovetailed guide I21 in the main frame 9 of the machine. The spindle 2, see Fig. 18, is supported in bearings, designated generally by the reference numeral I28, in the housing I26, said bearings including anti-friction thrust elements, and the spindle being held securely against axial movement in the housing. The spindle itself comprises an outer tubular member I 29, to

which is secured, as illustrated in Figs. 18 and 19, a pulley I3I, by means of which pulley the spindle is rotated, as hereinafter described. Pivotally secured at I32 within the pulley member I3I is a pair of levers I33, these levers extending through slots I34 in the tubular member I29 for operative engagement with one end of an inner sleeve I35 slidably supported within the member I29. The levers I33 are actuated about the pivots I32 by means of a sleeve I36 slidably mounted on the spindle member I29, this sleeve being in turn actuated through a forked lever I 31. The lever I31 is pivotally supported at I38 in a casing I39 secured to the side of the housing I26, as best shown in Fig. 21. The bifurcations of the lever I31 carry pins I which engage a collar I42 secured to' the sleeve I36 through the medium of an anti-friction bearing I43. I

The enlarged extremity I44 of the sleeve I35 is adapted for camming engagement at I45 with the resilient jaws of a collet I46, this collet being mounted within the enlarged end- I 44 of the sleeve I35, and being confined within the spindle member I29 by a flanged collar I41 threaded on the end of the latter. A spring I48 is confined between the inner end of the collet I46 and a shoulder I49 in the sleeve I35, and exerts pressure tending to retain the collet in advanced position in seating engagement with the flanged collar I41. When the sleeve I36 has been moved to the posttion shown in Fig. 1a, the said sleeve has a camming action on the proximate ends of the levers I33, forcing the-said ends outwardly and causing the levers to shift the sleeve I35 to the left, thereby flexing the Jaws of the collect I46 inwardly. Movement of the sleeve I36 to the. left, as viewed in Fig. 18, releases the pressure on the levers I33 and permits the spring I48 to shift the sleeve I35 to the right, thereby releasing the jaws of the collet I46 and permitting them to expand. The spring I48 also functions, as previously described, to maintain the collet I46 in the normal advanced position bearing against the flange of the collar I41. The collet I46 is shown in Fig..20. If desired, the jaws of the collet may be provided with wear resistant inserts I5I, as shown in Fig. 201: composed, for example of cemented carbide or other relatively hard material. Such inserts will preferably be provided also in the jaws of the collet I I previously described.

The housing I26 of the slide 3 is provided with a bracket extension I52, see Figs. 3 and 4, in which is journaled, at I53, oneend of an elongated gear I54, the other end of this gear being journaled in the casing I39. Fixed to the shaft Pivotally supported upon a pin I6I in the lower end of the casing I39 is a lever I 62. The upper bifurcated end of this lever, see Fig. 22, embraces the lever I31, and the bifurcations I63, I63 carry hardened set screws I64 which engage the opposite sides of the lever I31. Pivotally supported upon pins I65 and I66 at opposite sides of the pin I6I are levers I61 and I68. Each of these levers carries a spring-pressed pin, I69 and HI respectively, which are arranged for engagement with the opposite sides respectively of a hardened steel plug I12 set into the shank of the lever I62. The

' pins I69 and HI project through an opening in the face of a hollow boss, I13 and I14 respectively, on the levers I61 and I68, and springs I15 and I16 confined within the bosses behind the pins resiliently urge the latter into an advanced projected position. The apertured faces of the bosses I13 and I14 are also adapted for contact with the opposite faces of the plug I 12, as hereinafter described.

Each of the levers I61 and I 68 also carries a pin, I11 and I 18 respectively, these pins being supported on anti-friction bearings and projecting into the paths of the cams I58 and I59. The cams are so formed and are so relatively positioned on the cylinder I56 that as the cylinder rotates, the cams function by contact with the pins I11 and I18 to actuate the levers I61 and I68 in timed relation effectin a periodic oscillation of the lever I62. In each case, as the levers I 61 and I 68 advance toward the lever I62, the initial contact occurs between the pins I69 and HI and the plug I12 of the last-named lever. As a result, the said pin is forced back into its housing, and the housing itself, I13 or I14 as the case may be, then comes into engagement with the said plugi The pressure of the springs I15 and I16 is not sufliciently great to displace the lever I62, so that the actual shifting of the lever 'is initiated by the positive contact therewith of the housings I13 and I14. The springs have the effect, however, by their pressures on the lever 

